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cnbc.com
Oil prices fall as investors weigh falling demand against Middle East tensions
Oil futures retreated early Wednesday morning after prices rose overnight.
cnbc.com
Trump-linked oil venture delays Greenland drilling plans after government warning
Greenland Energy Co. and joint venture partner 80 Mile have delayed planned oil drilling in Greenland until winter 2027.
bbc.co.uk
Harvey Nichols bought by owner of Sports Direct
The department store made famous by sitcom Absolutely Fabulous had warned it would cease trading.
bbc.co.uk
Bumble divides users by ditching its signature 'women-first' chat rule
The dating app's boss says the move is in response to a successful trial and a change in what users want.
theguardian.com
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley buys Harvey Nichols
Frasers Group acquires majority of upmarket retailer’s sites from the administrators Business live – latest updatesThe owner of Sports Direct has bought Harvey Nichols out of administration after the upmarket department store chain warned it could run out of money if it did not find new funding.Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group said on Thursday it had bought the chain, which is headquartered at its store in Knightsbridge, for an undisclosed sum on the day it was put into administration. Harvey Nichols has 1,200 employees and 13 stores. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Water bills set to rise for many after firms permitted extra funding
Ofwat has given provisional approval for 13 water companies to charge customers more to pay for investments.
cnbc.com
South Korea's Kospi swings from bear to bull-market territory in just over a month on AI trade
South Korean stocks rallied on Thursday, pushing the benchmark Kospi into a technical bull market.
cnbc.com
Goldman says Japan's $1 trillion of reserves leaves 'plenty of capacity' for further yen interventions
Japan has enough cash at its disposal for a couple more rounds of yen-buying on the scale of last month's intervention, Goldman Sachs says.
cnbc.com
Wholesale prices were flat in July, below expectations for 0.2% increase
The producer price index was expected to increase by 0.2% in July, according to the Dow Jones consensus.
bbc.co.uk
Flock boss admits surveillance firm took too long to act over police abuse
US police officers have quit after using licence plate-reading cameras to track romantic partners.
cnbc.com
Iran looks to ramp up economic alliance with BRICS nations as war with U.S. drags on
Iran’s central bank chief said Thursday that the country is set to join the BRICS New Development Bank.
theguardian.com
Water customers are not a ‘blank cheque’, Burnham warns suppliers
Firms in England and Wales given green light for extra spending that will add billions to billsBusiness live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has accused water companies of treating their customers “as a bottomless source of funding” for the industry’s failings, after proposals that will push households bills even higher were approved.Millions of households in England and Wales will face higher bills after water companies were given the green light to spend £3.4bn more than planned, including to support new homes and datacentres. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
The Iran war risks bringing the G7's fastest-growing economy to a halt
The U.K. economy is showing further signs of a long-awaited rebound, but the picture is complicated by the fallout from the Iran war and high energy prices.
theguardian.com
Mark Zuckerberg says the future of AI is for everyone. But who owns it? | Raffi Krikorian
It’s a nice sentiment, but all AI users should ask three questions about their preferred choice of AI platformOn Monday, Mark Zuckerberg published a 6,500-word essay, The Future Is for Everyone. The essay came with something even rarer: a new Meta open-weight model. An open-weight AI model is the kind of AI with which you download the entire thing, and it works on your own computer (with or without the internet) and nobody can switch it off except for you. Almost every mainstream AI tool you use, whether it be Gemini, ChatGPT or Claude, is one you rent access to. Meta’s is one that you can download and actually own. I downloaded it before I finished the essay. So can you.This major move by the world’s largest tech heavyweight comes amid a summer heavy with AI news, full of nations at war. Washington against Beijing; tech founder against tech founder. But beneath those conflicts is a deeper contest between two kinds of power: a government that can order technology offline in an instant, and a company that can simply close your account. Neither is necessarily villainous. But the rest of us are not merely the audience in this fight; we are the prize. And the terms are already being written: intelligence on lease, a future we pay for but never quite own. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Young people want better job prospects and housing
In a recent survey only 27% of respondents say they want to stay in Guernsey.
bbc.co.uk
Zero hours crackdown could cost firms up to £2.9bn a year
Labour's employment rights bill crackdown on zero hours contracts could cost businesses up to £2.9bn a year, new official analysis has found.
bbc.co.uk
Twitch users outraged as Amazon uses their content to train AI in opt-out feature
Users of the popular streaming platform criticised allowing Amazon to use their data by dafault.
theguardian.com
How our food became so dependent on oil
Global food prices have hit their highest level in over three years. We are told this is due to rising oil and energy costs, but how exactly do they affect prices? The most reported reason is that transport and fertiliser are to blame, but the reality is that the oil and gas industry is far more integrated in our food production than many of us realise. To get a better understanding, Josh Toussaint-Strauss takes a closer look at the production processes of three categories of food: meat, processed staples and fruit and vegetables. What he discovers is a level of involvement that is shocking Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK economy shows surprising resilience – but that might not last | Richard Partington
Weaker growth, rising energy costs and persistent inflation mean Britain could face tougher times in the autumnUK economic growth slows downBusiness live – latest updatesIn the spring the International Monetary Fund warned Britain faced the heaviest economic blow from the Iran war among the world’s most advanced nations. Almost six months into the conflict, on the surface, the UK appears to be proving the forecasters wrong.The latest official figures show the UK maintained its pole position as the fastest growing economy in the G7 in the first half of 2026. Despite the gloomy international backdrop and yet more domestic political uncertainty, consumers have largely continued spending and business investment has boomed. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
UK economy grows but experts warn of challenging months ahead
Hot weather and the men's football World Cup boosted the economy but the Iran war may weigh on growth
cnbc.com
In pictures: Europe's best solar eclipse since 1999
A total solar eclipse crossed Iceland and Spain on Aug. 12, while much of Europe saw a partial eclipse and businesses benefited from demand.
cnbc.com
Ukraine attacks Russian grain export terminals in Black Sea, prompting warning about food markets
Ukraine has launched a heavy drone assault on warships and major Russian grain export terminals in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk.
theguardian.com
Lost jobs, inequality, rogue agents: why are we accepting oligarchs’ AI agenda? | Robert Reich
The dangers of AI become clearer every day. Why are we still acting as if we have no choice about our future?Rather than producing jobs, the US economy actually lost 23,000 jobs in July, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Friday. In addition, May and June’s job numbers were revised downward, showing a combined 103,000 fewer jobs than previously reported.As if this weren’t bad enough, wage growth has also slowed. Average hourly earnings rose by just 0.1% from June. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
World’s largest jeweler bets on platinum despite falling silver prices, CEO tells CNBC
Pandora is moving ahead with platinum-plated jewelry as it seeks to reduce its exposure to volatile silver prices despite the metal's recent decline.
cnbc.com
Shipping giants warn ports and trucks could hold up deliveries and push up prices
Global shipping demand remains strong despite geopolitical turmoil, but port and trucking bottlenecks are increasing congestion and putting upward pressure on freight rates.
cnbc.com
An inside look at SK Hynix $720 billion AI-fueled buildout that's taking over South Korea
SK Hynix, the leading maker of high-bandwidth memory, is pouring $720 billion into memory factories to meet AI demand. We got an exclusive first look.
cnbc.com
‘Hormuz remains blocked’: Iran disputes Trump claims as traffic sinks to near 3-month lows
The Persian Strait Gulf Authority said "the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and will not be reopened until Iran's conditions are accepted."
cnbc.com
Nuclear power plants are being shut down as Europe’s drought becomes an energy crisis
Heat and drought are curbing nuclear output across Europe, with Romania starting the process of disconnecting its sole working reactor from the power grid.
theguardian.com
Britain's scorched fields mean a food crisis – and the government is ignoring the one measure that would help | George Monbiot
This summer’s extreme weather and wars in Iran and Ukraine have made our need for food stockpiles more pressing than everWhen a business makes long-term plans, they call it prudence. When a government makes long-term plans, they call it communism. Any sustained state intervention attracts the prefix “Soviet-style”, and triggers vicious attacks across the billionaire media. So governments have developed a bias against long-term thinking. This may explain why we no longer maintain strategic food reserves.In Britain, where soils have parched, market analysts warn that we’re facing the most severe food security crisis in decades. In normal years, crop failures at home don’t threaten our security, thanks to global trade. This is one of the reasons why hunger and famines are rarer and less deadly than they used to be. But this is not a normal year, because the problem is now global. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK economic growth slows down as Iran war pushes up energy prices
GDP expanded by 0.4% in three months to June, but analysts warn growth is ‘likely to fade’UK economy shows surprising resilienceBusiness live – latest updatesEconomic growth slowed in the second quarter of the year, as the disruption unleashed by the Iran war began to take its toll, official figures show.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said GDP expanded by 0.4% in the three months to June, down from 0.6% in the first quarter, in line with City economists’ expectations. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Middle East tensions send oil higher while Iran-U.S. tensions escalate
Concerns over supply disruptions pushed oil prices higher, amid news of recent deadly attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea, and as a spill near Oman worsens.
cnbc.com
South Korea’s Kospi has staged a stunning comeback. How long will the bull market last?
South Korea's Kospi has staged a reversal from its latest rout, returning to bull-market territory as investors piled back into the semiconductor giants that dominate the index.
bbc.co.uk
Charity awarded £100k for back to school support
From September, uniforms will be limited to three items requiring a school logo.
theguardian.com
India fuels worldwide jump in planned coal production
Rise in new mine proposals, mainly in states of Odisha and Jharkhand, comes despite plateau in global demandEnough new coalmining projects were proposed last year to increase global supplies by 2.5bn tonnes a year, an increase of 11% from the year before, even as demand for coal plateaus, according to a new report.Global Energy Monitor, an NGO, found that India ignited a rise in new coalmine proposals in 2025 despite a global slowdown in the number of mine openings because of falling demand for the fossil fuel. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
This Chinese firm has topped Micron and Kioxia in shipments of crucial NAND memory chips
Counterpoint Research looked at the NAND segment of memory chips, which is benefitting along with the larger DRAM segment from artificial intelligence demand.
cnbc.com
EVs dominate China’s car market: 5 takeaways from the country's latest auto sales data
The China Passenger Car Association released data Tuesday showing penetration of new energy vehicles rose in July. Tesla's Model Y remained popular.
cnbc.com
Japan wholesale inflation eases slightly to 7.2%, undershooting expectations
The PPI reading was lower than the 7.4% expected by economists polled by Reuters, and was down from a revised 7.3% seen in June.
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: Why global funds are flocking to GIFT City in Modi’s home state
Favorable regulations, a growing local investor base, and tax holidays are giving momentum to India's GIFT City.
cnbc.com
Cerebras stock plunges 14% after second earnings report following IPO
Cerebras Systems reported better-than-expected second-quarter revenue and raised its full-year guidance.
bbc.co.uk
Why Japanese firms are being so slow to use AI
Japanese risk aversion and conservatism blamed for slow AI take-up by the country's business sector.
cnbc.com
Cisco's stock drops despite earnings, revenue beat
Even though Cisco's quarterly results topped estimates, they weren't good enough to satisfy Wall Street.
cnbc.com
Trump says Karoline Leavitt resigning as White House press secretary
Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary ever, gave birth in May to a girl, her second child.
cnbc.com
Saudi Arabia ramps up oil exports through Mediterranean pipeline to avoid attacks in Red Sea
Oil exports from Egypt's Mediterranean port of Sidi Kerir have more than doubled. The crude is mostly from Saudi Arabia, according to Kpler.
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Guinness owner Diageo launches a reset after profits fall and shares slide
theguardian.com
Greenland forces Trump-linked US oil firm to delay drilling
US envoy had claimed Americans could be extracting crude by as early as next yearGreenland authorities have forced a US oil company connected to Donald Trump to postpone drilling wells in the Arctic territory, defying claims by the US president’s envoy that Americans could be extracting crude by next year.Amid Trump’s imperialist threats, tensions have been rising on Greenland’s eastern coast after the oil company brought drilling equipment ashore in July without permission, drawing a “strong warning” from the government. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Trump sued over Truth Social's $100,000 early access service
The suit challenges Truth Social plan selling early access to Trump's market-moving posts.
theguardian.com
Trump sued over $100,000-a-month early-access offer to Truth Social posts
Suit alleges subscription offer aims to sell privileged access to information generated in president’s official capacityDonald Trump has been sued after a subscription service charging up to $100,000 a month for early access to his posts on his Truth Social platform sparked allegations of corruption.The lawsuit, filed in the US district court for the southern district of New York, was brought by the Intercept and the Freedom of the Press Foundation against Trump, two of his aides and the executive office of the president. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Discord ordered to suspend livestreams in Brazil
Discord told the BBC it was "thoughtfully reviewing" the order by Brazil's data protection agency and it was "committed to user safety"
bbc.co.uk
US inflation eases as food and fuel costs cool
Annual US inflation dipped to 3.4% in July, with food costs slowing and housing keeping prices slightly higher.
bbc.co.uk
Spotify to add label for AI-generated artists and remove them from recommendations
The new feature, starting from mid-September, will tell listeners if an artist is AI-generated.
theguardian.com
AI agents aren’t legally responsible for any harm that they cause, experts say. So who is?
After Australia’s first reported automated hacking accident, experts warn deployers – and possibly developers – of AI agents could be held liable for the actions of their botsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe law is clear, says Prof Jeannie Paterson. “If I deploy an AI agent and it causes harm to someone else, I am responsible for that harm.“Even if I didn’t intend for that to happen, it was foreseeable, and I should be taking responsibility.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Canadian airline WestJet agrees to settle flight attendants’ sexual harassment class action
Female staff alleged company failed to maintain safe workplace, after allegations of sexual assault against pilotThe Canadian airline WestJet has agreed to pay C$4.5m (£2.4m) to settle a decade-long sexual harassment class action lawsuit levelled by its female flight attendants, who alleged the company failed to maintain a safe workplace.The suit followed allegations by Mandalena Lewis, a former flight attendant, that a pilot had sexually assaulted her and a colleague, but that WestJet kept the pilot flying, thereby putting other employees at risk. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger reportedly buying Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5bn
Mark Walter bought team last year for $10bnIger and Kushner aim to ‘compete at the highest level’Josh Kushner and Bob Iger are purchasing the Los Angeles Lakers for more than $12.5bn in a record-breaking deal, ESPN reported on Wednesday, citing sources with knowledge of the deal.Billionaire Mark Walter purchased a majority stake of the NBA team last year from the Buss family in a deal that valued the club at $10bn, with the deal only having been approved by the board of governors in October. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Burnham warned Iran war could hit UK growth next year
The conflict in the Middle East has pushed up oil and fuel prices, and also disrupted supply chains.
cnbc.com
Solar eclipse drives Europe hotel prices to over $1,000 a night
Eclipse demand pushed some Spain and Iceland stays above $1,000 a night, while Iceland hotels cut prices sharply closer to Aug. 12.
cnbc.com
China’s answer to Boeing and Airbus makes first international flight — could COMAC challenge the aviation duopoly?
China’s C919 has made its first scheduled international commercial flight, a milestone in COMAC’s bid to challenge Boeing and Airbus globally.
bbc.co.uk
Bakery buys comedian's former sites after closure
Bakery business Janes Pantry confirms its plans to reopen at least 20 of the Coughlans shops.
theguardian.com
US inflation cooled slightly to 3.4% in July but prices still elevated
Energy is cheaper than at its peak in late April, but gas is still nearly $1 a gallon more expensive than before the Iran warUS consumer prices cooled slightly in July as the annualized inflation rate dipped down to 3.4%, though prices still remain higher than levels seen before the war with Iran.Though inflation decreased 0.7 percentage points in June during a brief ceasefire between the US and Iran that brought energy prices down, consumer prices have remained elevated. Price increases hit a three-year high in May, with annual inflation reaching 4.2%. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Panama canal fees soar due to Iran war and El Niño as ship ‘pays $4m to jump queue’
Falling water levels linked to weather system are expected to limit number of slots to transit shipping laneCommercial ships travelling through the Panama canal are facing a rise in costs amid disruption triggered by the Iran war and falling water levels linked to this year’s intense El Niño weather system.Highlighting the fragility of global trade, a container ship reportedly paid about $4m (£3m) to jump a queue of vessels waiting to pass through the vital maritime choke point. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Live facial recognition cameras to be used on UK’s busiest shopping street
Sadiq Khan has indicated the technology will be deployed on London’s Oxford Street despite human rights concernsThe Metropolitan police are understood to be planning to use live facial recognition (LFR) technology on Britain’s busiest shopping street.In June, the Met said it would introduce the technology in London’s West End by Christmas and into a further six areas next year. Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, has indicated that the newly pedestrianised Oxford Street will be included. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Iran war and high living costs fuelling last-minute holiday bookings, Tui says
Middle East conflict has cost Europe’s largest travel firm €60m so far, and timing of decisions over trips has shiftedHolidaymakers are waiting until the last minute to book their trips because of the continuing uncertainty caused by the war in Iran and the cost of living crisis, according to Tui, Europe’s largest travel company, which said the war had cost it €60m (£51m) so far.In the weeks after the outbreak of the war at the end of February, Tui recorded a temporary drop-off in customers wanting to travel to Cyprus or Turkey, in what the company called a “volatile market”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
AI was supposed to destroy jobs. Where’s the carnage?
The AI jobs apocalypse never showed up. Still, jobs are changing and economists expect more to comeThe prediction was stark: artificial intelligence advancements would wipe out jobs en masse. “Half” of all entry-level white collar jobs would vanish, Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, said in May 2025. A month later, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, went further, foreseeing the end of “certain job categories”. Companies began citing AI in their layoffs. Workers organized. And students reconsidered their future careers.But a year later, the mass carnage hasn’t shown up. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
If the markets reject OpenAI and Anthropic, the US should nationalize them | Bruce Schneier and Nathan E Sanders
From space to telecommunications, the US has a long history of fostering technology for the public good. These AI models could be aligned to democratic values, not corporate profitsOpenAI, and then Anthropic, were each formed by AI developers who feared unrestrained corporate AI development – specifically, that companies like Google and Meta would steer the technology towards deleterious, maybe even catastrophically unsafe, outcomes for society. Their founders proclaimed that their new labs, uniquely, could be trusted to develop the technology in humanity’s best interest. But each, in turn, were themselves co-opted by the same market incentives, themselves becoming corporate behemoths zealously guarding future investor value rather than the public interest.It was only a few weeks ago, in June, when OpenAI and Anthropic each filed for their IPOs and were met with buzz about trillion-dollar valuations. The hype around their valuations is so extreme that many worry about their potential for concentrating wealth on a global scale. In an effort to leave something for the rest of us, some observers have proposed that the federal government seize a share of these companies’ stock to create a US sovereign wealth fund, or redistribute their revenues to produce a dividend for taxpayers. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Group's chairman to step down
Chandrasekaran said he would not seek reappointment when his term ends due to a lack of support from the Tata Sons board.
cnbc.com
World's largest sovereign wealth fund posts record $184 billion profit as it reveals SpaceX stake for the first time
The fund — currently valued at around $2.34 trillion — is an investor in more than 7,000 companies across 60 countries.
bbc.co.uk
Homes near pylons to get £250 a year off energy bills – first sites revealed
Households living within 1,600ft of upgraded pylons will get £250 a year off their electricity bills.
cnbc.com
Why the historic U.S.-Japan intervention has failed to halt the yen’s slide
The Japanese yen has erased about half of the gains from an unprecedented U.S.-Japan intervention less than two weeks ago.
theguardian.com
‘It’s been a revelation’: how heat pumps can cool your home in a heatwave
It might seem an unlikely way to stop overheating, but many owners have found the tech a lifeline in hot weather“If it is 35C outdoors, I can get the temperature down to 21C,” says Andrew Ingram of the sanctuary that his living room has provided this summer.“On the nights I’ve slept in there, you have to put your thick pyjamas on,” jokes Ingram, who lives in Maidenhead, Berkshire, with his wife, Sue. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Eerie silence and ‘still surviving’: what happened next after steel town’s last blast furnace shut down
Exhibition in Port Talbot is part of project exploring how communities experience endings and transitionsMargaret Heggett, 95, does not remember a time when Port Talbot was ever quiet. Born and raised in the shadow of the steelworks, with a father, brother and husband who worked there, she never imagined what the town could look or sound like without its blast furnaces.“I’m not saying it was beautiful, but there were jobs. We did know the closure was coming and we have to move with the times but it’s affected the town a lot and it’s very sad,” she said. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Young islanders concerned about their future
The Medical Officer Health Report shows 36% of young people are certain they will leave the island.
bbc.co.uk
How affordable are Edinburgh's festivals?
The city is no stranger to complaints about soaring prices during August - but are costs on the rise?
theguardian.com
All-British chocolate bar made by scientists using Reading-grown cocoa
Master’s student made first bar with 100% UK ingredients since 1932 to highlight effect of climate crisis on cocoa plantsThe late queen was the only person in history to have ever eaten a chocolate bar made with 100% British ingredients, after she was given one as a six-year-old in 1932 by the confectioner Rowntree’s.The bar was created from a glasshouse-grown cocoa plant, at Rowntree’s headquarters in York. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
PM admits cost of living help is not enough and hints at further support
The PM has announced a rake of measures to help people since taking office three weeks ago.
theguardian.com
Passenger jet billed as China’s answer to Boeing and Airbus prepares to make first international flight
The Comac C919 will fly from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, although experts say it could take generations for it to challenge the west’s dominance of the industryChina hopes to break into the world of commercial aviation with the first international flight of a Chinese-made passenger jet scheduled for Wednesday.The Comac C919 will take off from Beijing capital international airport at 3pm, landing in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, just over two hours later. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Tokenomics: Why making AI pay is tricky
Buyers of AI services are struggling to control costs and sellers are not sure how much to charge.
theguardian.com
Households near new pylons to get £250 taken off annual energy bills
Discounts confirmed near more than 40 locations across Great Britain amid biggest upgrade to electricity grid since 1960sHouseholds living near new power pylons will have £250 a year taken off their energy bills as the UK government prepares to push ahead with more than 40 grid upgrade projects across the country.The government has promised hundreds of thousands of homes living within 500 metres of new grid infrastructure a saving of up to £2,500 on their energy bills over 10 years in return for “hosting vital infrastructure” which will help the UK transition away from fossil fuels. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Sun-tanned cauliflowers and knobbly spuds - the heatwave veg that's good to eat
British shoppers should expect to see more wonky vegetables due to repeated heatwaves.
bbc.co.uk
Tributes to co-founder of John Pye auction house
A statement issued by the firm said "John lived a fantastic life full of laughter and hard work".
theguardian.com
Will Andy Burnham’s everyday fixes be enough to get the public on his side?
The prime minister’s money-saving policies are popular but they are yet to convince voters he can take on the big thingsIt was last year that Martin Lewis, the money-saving guru, advised the government to find “100 small things that piss people off” and set about sorting them out.That approach has been adopted almost immediately by Andy Burnham since entering office, as he began his programme of “everyday fixes” to tackle problems that can be dealt with through minor policy tweaks. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Eclipse chasers scramble for glasses as stocks run low
Specialist glasses are all but sold out online ahead of the UK's most significant eclipse since 1999.
theguardian.com
Why the US government is banning Chinese robots – video explainer
The Federal Communications Commission on 28 July announced a ban on humanoid robots from China including the popular Unitree G1 model. The Guardian's technology journalist Nick Robins-Early explains the recent popularity of these trending robots and why the US government says they are a risk to the country's national security Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Watch: U's fans told house prices put players off
At a fans' forum, the director of football reveals high property costs are a "big challenge".
bbc.co.uk
France bans unsolicited telemarketing calls
Cold calling is coming to an end in France, with one consumer group calling the ban a "small revolution".
theguardian.com
Axe stamp duty? How Andy Burnham could change property tax
The new PM could bring in revenue for social care or defence with a land levy or by reforming council taxResidential property is the largest store of wealth in the UK, and has long been a target for those who believe homes should be taxed more. Real estate remains a juicy plum for Andy Burnham to pick as he searches for ways to pay for an overhaul of the social care system and higher defence spending, to name just two fiscal priorities. Yet how to tax property, or possibly the land it sits on, has vexed economists and politicians for centuries. Here we discuss the background to the debate and some of the tax options.• This article was amended on 11 August 2026. An earlier version said home occupiers in France must pay the taxe d’habitation; in fact, since 2023 this only applies to second homes. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
AI agent hacks gym to get its user a spot in pilates class
The incident is being seen as the latest example of the AI tools going to any lengths to complete their tasks.
theguardian.com
The US tried to stop cartel money-laundering. It devastated mom-and-pop businesses instead
Small businesses pay hidden toll after money-transfer rule change to curb illicit activities near the US-Mexico borderLast April, the Trump administration rolled out its latest tool in the fight against Mexican cartels: an aggressive crackdown on money transfers near the US-Mexico border.The administration said that, in an effort to stop money laundering and other illicit activity, it would now require any business providing financial services in the region to report cash transactions over $200. Previously, the amount had been $10,000. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Drought, water rationing and dry rivers: our water crisis is here | Peter Gleick
It doesn’t have to be this way. We know what needs to be doneDisturbing news about our water resources is now constant and unrelenting. In just the past few weeks, media have reported that Puerto Rico is suffering a deep water crisis as severe drought has cut water supplies to thousands. The Rhine and Po rivers in Europe are at record low levels. The seven states sharing the Colorado River in the US are fighting over unprecedented shortages, while its major reservoirs have shrunk to their lowest levels since they were built.Hungary’s only nuclear power plant is on the verge of shutting down because there isn’t enough water in the Danube River to cool it. Toxic chemicals have been found in all English water bodies. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
FIFA World Cup 'will never be as profitable' if Infantino is ousted, Trump warns amid global soccer revolt
President Gianni Infantino pushed FIFA's commercialization drive, which culminated in the largest, most profitable World Cup on record
bbc.co.uk
Mars Bar from 1991 found – and it's 56% bigger than today's
The woman who found the chocolate bar during a house clearance compares it with today's Mars Bars.
bbc.co.uk
The Global Story
Are we entering the Chinese Century, or is the Chinese Dream already fading for some?
bbc.co.uk
'I paid £400 for a Prada bag on Vinted - only to find it was fake'
A woman who paid £400 for a Prada handbag on Vinted later discovered it was a fake.
bbc.co.uk
Wall Street giants hand Nvidia $500bn to fund boom in AI projects
The money will be used to develop new data centres to house, operate, and cool miles of stacked computer chips that process AI data and actions.
bbc.co.uk
More than 10 firms pay up to $100,000 a month for fast access to Truth Social posts
Trump Media expects the controversial service, which launched this month, to provide a new revenue stream, as it posts a quarterly loss.
theguardian.com
Car hire firm told me I was a ‘no-show’ so I lost £185
I was delayed, but I had prepaid through Holiday Autos and had provided my flight number as requestedI booked a car hire at Heathrow through Holiday Autos on a visit to the UK and provided my flight number as requested.My flight was severely delayed, and when I reached the car hire desk, I was told I’d been marked down as a “no-show” and that my car had been rehired. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why did Saudi Arabia just spend billions on a video games company? – podcast
Last week Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund and a group of investors spent $55bn (£41bn) on Electronic Arts, the video games company behind the Sims, Madden NFL and Battlefield. Keith Stuart and George Osborn tell Annie Kelly why this soft-power move is worrying many in the industrySaudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, loves a video game. That might explain why Saudi Arabia has borrowed billions to buy Electronic Arts. And that’s just the latest in a long list of ways the Middle Eastern powerhouse has invested in esports.But why would such a powerful government take a risk with video games? As Keith Stuart and George Osborn tell Annie Kelly, it’s part of a pattern of superpowers and authoritarian regimes seeing games as handy propaganda tools. And this is why critics are worried about countries such as Saudi Arabia having ready access to billions of players around the world Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'I started in my 20s and made £8,000': Why women are often better investors than men
Women can make higher returns but only about a quarter of UK women have investments, compared with about 40% of men.
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Europe's biggest business district in Paris is turning vacant office space into housing
bbc.co.uk
Jeff Bezos and Liverpool explained
BBC Sport's Sam Harris breaks down the potential new investment of Jeff Bezos into Liverpool.
theguardian.com
‘It’s very challenging’: how the Duke of Westminster’s farm is taking on the climate crisis
Amid world pressure from heatwaves and fertiliser shortages, billionaire’s business has invested in circular farming and biomethaneThere is a distinctive smell of cow manure in the air at the Duke of Westminster’s dairy farm near Chester. It is a world away from the collection of grand West End properties controlled by the duke that form the backbone of his near £10bn fortune, a decade on from becoming Britain’s youngest billionaire.As part of his 349-year-old Grosvenor empire, Lea Manor Farm on the duke’s Eaton Estate in north-west England has fared better than most dairy farms in recent years. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Meta to open source its most powerful AI model as it takes swipe at OpenAI, Anthropic
Meta launched Muse Glimmer and plans to release Muse Spark 1.2 weights as Zuckerberg pushes for U.S. leadership in open AI.
theguardian.com
Hastings Direct’s failures forced my family out of our home
A leak beneath our fridge-freezer last winter caused extensive damage but there’s still no functioning kitchenEight months after reporting a leak to our home insurer, Hastings Direct, my husband and I and our two-year-old are still effectively homeless.Last winter, we discovered that an unnoticed leak beneath our fitted fridge-freezer had caused extensive damage to the floorboards of our kitchen/living room. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'You could smell someone' who worked at Raleigh
The company was more than just a employer. For years, it was part of the fabric of Nottingham.
theguardian.com
The gen Z investors – podcast
Are gen Z the most financially savvy generation of them all? With senior economics correspondent Richard Partington and influencer James BeckettJames Beckett, known as Money Stocker, is in his mid-30s and has investments worth £350,000.The social media influencer talks to Nosheen Iqbal about how he got into the world of finance and his aim to be “financially free” by 45. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Cut £175 from energy bills for low-income homes, says thinktank
Resolution Foundation proposes £2bn emergency scheme to help people facing higher costs this winterLabour should draw up an emergency plan to cut energy prices for low-income families by up to £175 this winter, the Resolution Foundation has said.One of Andy Burnham’s first policy announcements as prime minister was to remove VAT temporarily from electricity bills, saving households about £45 a year. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Like being in prison’: the ship crews stuck in Gulf since February
US-Iran war has stranded up to 20,000 seafarers, mostly Indian and Filipino crews, with none knowing when the nightmare will endThe panicked crew of a cargo ship broadcast a distress signal late on Monday night from their location in the strait of Hormuz. About 20 nautical miles north of the coast of Oman, the Minoan Pioneer bulk carrier was hit by an unknown projectile, causing a blackout in the engine room and a fire in the accommodation area.The crew scrambled to put out the blaze and called for help from nearby vessels. When they managed to disembark from the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged ship on Tuesday morning, they realised the third engineer was missing. Days later, he is yet to be found. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Watch The Odyssey for free online’: scam targets film fans with fake streaming sites
Those tempted to access fake websites run risk of phishing scams and having computer infected with malwareThe Odyssey is the hottest release this summer and you have been looking forward to seeing the much-acclaimed adaptation of Homer’s epic ancient Greek poem. But you have been unable to go to the cinema, so when you spot an ad to watch online, you jump at the chance.There are positive reviews posted on the site so you decide to sign up. Although it asks for your bank details – which is unusual for a “free” trial – you are so eager to watch the blockbuster you input your details. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Google DeepMind enters a new era as co-founder Demis Hassabis shifts AI role
Observers express concern that the division has lost its independence and commercial reality has taken overWhen Sir Demis Hassabis said AI had brought the world to a “pivotal moment in human history” last month, he knew another big change was imminent.This shift was closer to home. The Nobel prize-winning head of Google DeepMind, Google’s AI unit, announced this week he was relinquishing his day-to-day duties as chief executive and becoming chair. He is also taking on the role of chief scientist at DeepMind’s parent, Alphabet. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Can Harvey Nichols find its way back to being Absolutely Fabulous again?
Mike Ashley says it’s in a ‘death spiral’ but a refocus on design could be what the department store needsSuch was the buzz around Harvey Nichols in its 90s heyday that the department store was regularly name-checked in Absolutely Fabulous, with Edina and Patsy’s frequent retail therapy trips to the store reflecting its position at the heart of the fashion industry at the time.How times change. These days Harvey Nichols is a business in trouble, one that has not turned a profit since the pandemic. Pre-tax losses were £35.3m in 2024. The retail chain – comprising the the original store in Knightsbridge, London, plus stores in cities including Bristol, Leeds and Manchester – was put up for sale in June by its current owner, Sir Dickson Poon, with Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group and Next bidding to take control. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
What do people want from Argos?
As Sainsbury agrees to sell Argos for £120m, we ask people if they still shop there, and what the new owners can do to compete with big online retailers like Amazon.
bbc.co.uk
Why airlines are warning over lithium-ion batteries
The airline industry wants passengers to be careful when travelling with lithium ion batteries.
bbc.co.uk
Argos is getting a makeover - but can it attract new shoppers?
The retailer has been around for 50 years but struggled to compete with newer rivals such as Amazon. Can its new owners turn it around?
bbc.co.uk
First OpenAI, now Meta - why do AI hacks keep happening?
A flood of companies are revealing AI models gained access to the internet - with real consequences.
bbc.co.uk
Shorts, strappy tops and sandals: What is acceptable to wear to work?
Here's how to style for success while keeping your cool - and where you and your boss stand on your wardrobe.
bbc.co.uk
How tech is helping in the battle against wildfires
Tech is being used to watch for wildfires but firefighters are still needed to put them out.
bbc.co.uk
The cost of being single – and how friends are teaming up to beat it
Many singles face extra costs for housing, bills, food and holidays but there are ways to ease the burden.
bbc.co.uk
'I feel like I dug my own grave': The workers caught in the AI transition
AI is reshaping the Philippines' outsourcing industry, raising questions over the future of the industry.
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
theguardian.com
AI and artists can click – a new manifesto for modern creativity
The UK is both an epicentre of global creative industries and a budding AI powerhouse. Here’s how it can balance support for creatives while also embracing technological changesWhat does it mean to be a creator in today’s modern world when artificial intelligence is reshaping relationships between humans and technology?That’s one critical question the UK creative industry has been asking itself as AI rips up traditional conventions on copyright, ownership, effort, and originality. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
bbc.co.uk
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
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